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A quality garden starts with quality care, and that doesn’t just mean keeping up with your weeds. Maintaining your garden equipment will ensure that any work you complete is done with the highest potential for accuracy and precision. Not only do tools need to be sharp, they also need to be clean and sterile, so they don’t accidentally spread disease or viruses to your garden bed. And of course, stored in a dry place, not just left in the grass for tomorrow’s chores.
How to clean and sharpen garden tools
Not only does thorough cleaning mean sterile equipment, it also ensures that your equipment lasts longer. Just think of it as protecting your investment.
1. Start by scrubbing your tools with a wire brush. This is the fastest and best way to remove dirt.
2. Next, immerse the tools in it A dilute solution of household bleach. Turpentine can be used for any objects that can be covered in sap, while vinegar Can be used to dry items coated in rust.
3. Lightly rub the wooden handles with linseed oil.
Pliers, shears, scissors, knives, loppers, pruners, and shovels all require occasional sharpening. Wipe the blade down with WD-40 or another lubricant. File at a 20- to 45-degree angle. For most tools, it is usually easiest to follow the original bevel. (Most blades can be filed with a 10” flat mill file.) For items that require a finer edge (pruners or shears), Whetstone To finish the edge.
Even when you know you’ll be using your tools the next day, it’s best not to leave them out in the elements. After cleaning them, return the used items to the shed, where they will be kept dry and more likely to remain rust-free. A great way to store small spades and trowels is to place them in a container filled with sand that has been soaked in motor oil. This helps keep the metal well conditioned. Your larger equipment is best hung in a dry, ventilated shed. A pegboard will keep everything organized and easy to access. Keep the tools you use frequently within arm’s reach and place the less-used items as you wish.
Meet the tools of the year 2025
